Workplace deaths have risen 3 straight years
Workplace fatalities rose 7 percent in 2016, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It was the third straight year that work-related deaths rose, after trending downward for many years.
Transportation accidents make up the greatest number of deaths, but workplace violence has skyrocketed and is now the No. 2 cause of workplace fatalities.
Disturbing trends in workplace fatalities
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has tracked workplace deaths since 1992. In all, there were 5,190 work-related fatalities in 2016.
Several occupations recorded the highest number of fatalities since category tracking began in 2003: construction site supervisors, landscapers/groundskeepers, roofers, tree trimmers, drivers/salespersons, auto mechanics, and farm/ranch/fisheries workers.
Will 2017 and 2018 stats be better or worse?
The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) plans to address the alarming increase through enforcement of safety laws, assisting employers with compliance, and outreach such as education and training. However, there are two trends which may contribute to more fatalities:
Be careful out there. Insist on safety protections that are guaranteed to you under state and federal laws. Even workers sometimes chafe at OSHA regulations, but those laws have saved thousands of lives since the agency was created in the 1970s.
In the event of a workplace injury or a family member’s workplace death, contact a lawyer who handles both workers’ compensation claims and third-party lawsuits.
At Kennedy, Johnson, Schwab & Roberge, L.L.C., we handle all cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that we do not get paid unless and until you receive a settlement or a jury award.
Schedule a free, confidential consultation with a skilled Connecticut personal injury lawyer today.